Arsenal’s transfer business shouldn’t be overlooked

Arsenal haven’t signed any huge names, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t doing well.

Arsenal, particularly under Arsene Wenger, have been known to sign small names and make them into huge stars. Thierry Henry, Robin van Persie and Cesc Fabregas all spring to mind.

This is a risky approach to take, but if the players come off, the business always look ten times better.

We have seen more recent examples of this with Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp signed players which most would consider ‘average’ in Andrew Robertson and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain but, despite the latter’s injury problems, they have proven key to Liverpool’s side.

This is what Arsenal hope to achieve in signing players like Stephan Lichtsteiner. Although he came from Juventus, he isn’t the biggest name (he’s certainly one of the longest, though).

However, he fits into just what Arsenal need. An attacking full back who is comfortable in possession, but also defensively disciplined. He will teach Hector Bellerin all the ways of being a full back from his many years of experience.

Another player which Arsenal are in for is Borussia Dortmund’s Sokratis Papastathopoulos. Another long name, but again he is just what Arsenal need.

He will come as a mentor to the young Greek defender Konstantinos Mavropanos. These names aren’t jokes, I promise.

Mavropanos looked exceptional against Manchester United, but then he was sent off against Leicester City. Sokratis will come in and teach his countryman how to be commanding, but at the right times.

The deal looks to be over the line, and it’s good because, despite his age, he brings a backbone to the Arsenal defense and he knows when to dive into a tackle.

According to Bild, the Gunners are now interested in German defender Lukas Klostermann. These all seem to be down to the club’s head of recruitment, Sven Mislintat.